Brazilian Hospitals to Use Portuguese-Aided Prematurity Test

Why this is here: PreemieTest can assess a newborn’s maturity in seconds, a crucial time-saver in areas where access to advanced neonatal equipment is limited.

Brazilian researchers developed PreemieTest, a portable device assessing newborn maturity through skin analysis. The team at the Federal University of Minas Gerais created the device, which estimates gestational age, lung maturity, and respiratory risk in seconds. It uses optical light readings and requires no radiation, causing no pain to the infant.

The Brazilian Ministry of Health approved PreemieTest for use in its public health system, particularly in remote areas lacking advanced neonatal care. Reliable gestational information is often unavailable when mothers lack prenatal care or deliver outside of hospitals. The technology aims to quickly determine a baby’s needs for oxygen or transfer to a specialized unit.

The device builds on optical techniques and biomedical analysis stemming from earlier studies with Portuguese researchers specializing in biophotonics. While presented as Brazilian technology, publications credit Portuguese investigation with the device’s optical components and skin-reading models.

Over 487,000 premature births occurred in Brazil between 2024 and 2025, representing about 12% of all births. The device is expected to distribute to the public network within 180 days, but long-term outcomes remain to be seen.